2.1 Learning:  learn about climate change and the global environmental crisis.
2.2. Learn about Theology and Ecology.
2.3  Bible study on Leviticus. The groups will work on a common biblical text. You will share your insights in a creative way with the other groups.
2.4 Analysis of the context. The questionnaire will help you to understand the environmental issues affecting your context.

Ecology and the Current Crisis

The word ecology comes from the Greek oikos, house, dwelling place, habitation. It means that on earth everything is interconnected. When somebody pours poison into a river, the people, animals and plants downstream will suffer. High levels of carbon dioxide emissions in Europe impact the global climate.

All is Connected

Many ecological problems have immediate, direct consequences at the local level, while others will only be felt in the long term. Some problems at first only affect nature, while others are problematic for human beings straightaway.

A bad sewage system will definitely damage the soil, human beings may become sick and the drinking water might become unsafe.

In a city that relies heavily on car traffic people might get sick because the air is bad and children risk being injured as they cross the street. In addition, the air is getting worse and, in the long run, the global atmosphere will be badly affected.

It is impossible in this short publication to list all the possible consequences. We can only point to some specific issues and facts. When you work with your partner groups, you will have to explore the correlation between particular problems.

What is Climate Change?

Scientists around the world have observed that the global climate has been changing at a rapid pace, especially in terms of increases in average temperatures. The first decade of the twenty-first century was the warmest on record since the beginning of the instrumental climate records in 1850. This has certain consequences:

What Can We Do About Climate Change?

There are two basic strategies, namely mitigation and adaptation.

MITIGATION

The human contribution to climate change should be reduced. This includes the following measures:

ADAPTATION

Climate change is well under way and can no longer be stopped. Therefore, people everywhere,  especially vulnerable communities, need to prepare for the coming changes.

OTHER AREAS OF CONCERN

Climate change is definitely not the only concern. In terms of ecological justice there are more areas in which humans hurt nature and, ultimately,  themselves. Below a short list of other issues that could be considered

Primer on Theology and Ecology

Bible Study: Leviticus 23:3; 25:1–5

Analyzing your Context

Everything is interconnected; that is the principle of ecology. This group exercise is about learning what this means in your particular context.

Purpose

To help a local activity with an eye toward the three components of sustainability: the economy, society, and the environment.
Time needed:  90 minutes or longer if required.
Materials:

• Three large sheets of paper for each group
• Tape
• One marking pen per participant.

Directions

[numbered list]
Divide participants into groups of two to four.
Ask each group to identify an annual local activity (e.g., local festival, parade, or sporting event).
Design a concept map (see below) using this activity as the point in the center.
Think of ways in which the activity affects the local economy, society, and the environment. For example: A football match might help the local economy by generating work for people running the food stalls and those selling the food to them. However, in terms of environmental impact, the event produces waste that might pollute the waterways, etc.

If you had several groups, let the different groups report on their maps now.
In order to summarize the findings, prepare a chart on the remaining sheet of paper. Write the headings “Environment,” “Economy,” and “Society” across the top. Write “Local” and “Global” on the left-hand side of the page. Write down the keywords that you have come up with as in the following example:

	Environment	Society	Economy
Local	Use of fertilizers Use of pesticides Groundwater Landfill Reservoir Urban sprawl Waste Traffic Riverfront park	Public health Education Landmarks Heritage Culture Migrant workers Events Values	Tourism Shipping Service industry Government subsidy Seasonal jobs Private support Taxes Property values
Global	Acid rain Ozone depletion Logging Fishing Air	Source community Workers Child labor Disease Poverty Government	Big business International trade Agreements farming Wages Cost of living

General discussion

• What are the most problematic factors for your local community?
• What are the most problematic factors at the global level?
• Do you have any ideas as to how these can be addressed?

(Adapted from: http://www.esdtoolkit.org/community_goals/sust_lens.htm)

1. Bible Study on Colossians 1: The groups will work on a common biblical text. You will share your insights in a creative way with the other groups.
2. Pick an issue: You will review the issues that are most important in your community and pick the most pressing one. Share your insights with others and you will learn from theirs.
3. Ideas for Action: Come up with an idea for an activity, plan it, and ask others for support.

Colossians 1:12–20: The First Born Before Creation

By Kenneth Mtata

In the group, slowly read the following text aloud several times.

He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

Respond to these questions:

Read the following notes and reread Colossians 1:12–20 to answer the questions below.

The Epistle to the Colossians is said to be part of Paul’s letters, commonly called the Prison letters (Philippians, Ephesians and Philemon) although the language in Colossians is somewhat different to that Paul’s other letters. This pericope or text is a prayer honoring Christ. Similar texts honoring Christ in this way would include John 1:18 and Philippians 2:5–11. The prayer starts with the first section (vv 9–14) and focuses on the church’s spiritual welfare. Verses 15–20 praise Christ. The text begins by pointing to Jesus Christ as the “image of the invisible God” and as the “firstborn of all creation.” In this sense, in his earthly form, Jesus embodies the image of God while at the same time sharing in the state of created things. This association of the image of God with creation makes that which is created sacred. For this reason, in 1:16, all created things are subordinated to God because God created them for God’s own purpose. As a result, all of creation is finally accountable to God such that there is nothing created whose authority on other creation is final. This includes human beings. In 1:18,  Jesus’ headship over the church is one example in which God’s lordship over all structures of authority over creation is demonstrated. What is interesting is that just as Jesus has partaken in being human, he has, through this association, made all creation supreme. This is another way of putting 1:15. God’s nature was alive in its “fullness” in Jesus (1:19) so that created things and beings could be restored to the divine nature (1:20).

What is your response to the following questions in light of this short explanation?

The text evokes images. In groups of two, paint or draw a picture of how Christ and creation are connected.

Present the pictures to the other small groups. Discuss the meaning of the pictures and maybe your different understandings.

Pick an Issue

Ideas for Action

After identifying the issues that you care about, it is important that you plan a specific action that addresses these. Please find below a few ideas for this.

Planning

What change do you want to bring about?

In the time you have spent together, you will have discussed in depth one or several issues. Now it is time to be clear as to you would like to see done differently in your community. What sort of changes would you like to see?

Define your goals

On this basis, you can now define a realistic, measurable and time-bound goal for your actions.

The goal helps you  to plan what you need now. How many people do you need? What kind of resources do you need and how and where can you get hold of them? A lot possible with very little or no money at all.

Some ideas for action

Your action should be based on the real desire to make a difference in your community. The change you want to bring about will probably will not be achieved after one event: You will have to convince people; for that you will have to talk to them and that will take time. However, an event as part of your action captures people’s attention and profiles your group.

(based on http://www.350.org/en/action-ideas)

Worship service: Consider preparing and leading a special worship service. Maybe you have the possibility to do so in collaboration with other congregations and other churches.

Panel discussion: If you like to change something that involves many different people, then it might be a good idea to invite some of them to joint discussions. This would also be a good opportunity to invite elected officials at the community or city level.

Biking action: Biking, like a march or a walk, is a great way of getting out and being visible in your community. It can also demonstrate the need for an improved infrastructure for alternative modes of transportation.

Clearing away trash: Cleaning part of your environment—a stream or a park for instance— would also be very effective action. You should tell others why you are doing this.

Service actions: You can actively participate in areas where strong hands are needed. But do not forget to tell others about what you are doing and why.

Art installation: Provide art supplies and invite your participants to create art—maybe something that speaks of the importance of nature in your community.

Support local food production: Have a feast, a carbon-free picnic, in the best local spot. This is an easy way to get everyone to participate and to highlight local and/or organic foods.

Sports: Organize a sports event at a place at the center of your community. Maybe you can display posters describing what you would like to change.

Music: Perhaps you know some local musicians who might want to join. Or, you could invite participants to bring instruments themselves and to create their own music.

Film festival: Film is a powerful medium and a great way of inspiring people to take action. Introduce sensitive issues, tell powerful stories of those making a difference and provide solutions to our ecological crisis in an entertaining and captivating way.

4.1 Bible study on Revelation 21—22: The groups will work on a common biblical text. You will share your insights in a creative way with the other groups.
4.2 Evaluate: Together with the other groups, share your experiences—your successes and your failures.

(Adapted from: http://lwfyouth.org/lwf-together/guidebook/)

Bible Study: Revelation 21:3–7; 22:1–5

 By Mia Wrang

Using an abundance of rich metaphors, these verses describe “a new creation.” We do not  know what exactly is meant by new here (21:5) but, luckily, we do not need to know everything. Instead, we can concentrate on that which is more clear.

One of the symbols, the tree of life (22:2), refers to Genesis. Adam and Eve had to leave the Garden of Eden due to the Fall. Ever since, our choices and actions have led us away from paradise and the struggle between the forces of life and death continue. Revelation is addressed to people struggling with the understanding that the world as they knew it will end one day. Revelation is about hope in situations that seem hopeless.

It shows us that as a Christian there is no reason to give up—no matter how difficult the situation is. The struggle will end in the victory of Jesus Christ. As Christians, we are the body of Christ and therefore part of his struggle and victory.

Revelation is full of God’s promises. It is said that while God does not fulfill all of our wishes, God fulfills all of God’s promises. As Christians we are privileged to have hope in God. God’s promise, I will “give you a future with hope” (Jer 29:11), remains valid. The future has not been cancelled. Even if everything seems to go wrong in the world, we have God who will have the final word on earth (Job 19:25).

How to Work with a Group on the Text

1. The text is read several times (so that everyone has the possibility to read part of it out aloud). Each participant chooses one or several words (maximum one sentence), which they find the most meaningful and relevant at the moment. Everyone will share the word or words they have picked with the others. It is good to sit in a circle so that participants can easily see one another. The objective here is to get familiar with and be touched by the text.

2. Divide into small groups (3—5 people). Each person briefly explains why they have chosen these particular words.

Further questions to be discussed in the groups include:

Many churches use the anchor as a symbol of hope. What, in your culture, are symbols, signs or colors of hope? Nowadays, what else could be used as a sign of hope?

Suggested time for the discussion is 30 minutes. The main findings should be noted and shared with the wider group.

3. Groups will come together in order to share the issues they have discussed. The objective here is to share and to learn from the perspective of others.

4. Choose from the following suggested activities those appropriate to your context. Please note, these will require time and preparation.

5. Passing the symbol of hope: Form a circle. One person in the circle will give the next person a symbol of hope (a seed, small anchor, or something else) with words of encouragement (i.e., a quotation from the Bible). The one who received the symbol will hand it to the next person in the circle with words of encouragement. This will be continued until the symbol and words of encouragement have come full circle. The symbol can be the same throughout while the words can differ and are chosen by the one who says them. Alternatively, everyone brings their own symbol of hope to be given to the next person in the circle. The objective here is to be empowered by the hope given by God.

6. Finish with a prayer such as the following:

God almighty, Creator of heaven and earth,
You give us the food of the earth and the water of the well.
Bless every effort and every struggle that seeks to restore the harmony and beauty of your creation. We praise you, for you have not left your creation alone.
Lord Jesus Christ, who walked our ways, you have revealed the will of God and the holiness of the earth.
We thank you for your promise to be with us always. Without you we can do nothing.
Holy Spirit, giver of life and helper, you awaken our song of praise in faith and struggle.
We thank you that you are greater than any of the obstacles we face. Amen

7. Agree on who will be responsible on the sharing with the groups abroad. It is good to share the responsibility with several people and to be clear about which part of the sharing each person takes care of and when they will do it. The leader of the group will have to do the follow-up.

Evaluation and Celebration

Evaluation is not about complaining about people or being angry about something that did not come out the way you might have intended. Rather, it is about finding out what we should be thankful for to God. We will try to acknowledge what we have learned in order to remember it for the future. We will face our mistakes honestly in order not to make the same ones next time.

Group Evaluation: A Few Tips

When working with your team, it is important that everybody is heard—even those who do not generally speak up.

Celebration

Do not  forget to celebrate what you have achieved and also what will work out next time. Meet, have a party. Take time to thank God in prayer.